Fort Smith AR vs Pasadena TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 61.2% | 45.5% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $218,978 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.6% | Fort Smith + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 32.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 36.1 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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